Oleta River State Park Trails

Oleta River State Park is the largest urban state park in Florida, at 3400 NE 163rd St in North Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County. The park is about 30 minutes by car or rideshare north of downtown Miami, and entry is charged per vehicle: about $6 USD for a vehicle with 2-8 people, $4 USD for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 USD for pedestrians or cyclists. No permit is needed for hiking. Roughly 2-3 miles (3-5 km) of hiking paths wind through coastal hammock, mangrove and scrub habitat, alongside more than 10 miles (16 km) of mountain bike trails that share part of the park. The terrain is essentially flat, with under 10 ft (3 m) of elevation change, so the walk is easy and suitable for first-time hikers. Surfaces are a mix of packed dirt, sand and roots, with mangrove stretches that are shaded and open areas that are exposed to the sun. Walkers see mangrove shoreline along the Oleta River and Biscayne Bay, shorebirds, ospreys, and sometimes manatees in the waterways. A typical visit lasts one to two hours, and turn-around points can be chosen anywhere along the paths since several routes loop back toward the main park area. Restrooms, picnic areas and drinking water are near the parking and concession areas, and the park also rents kayaks and offers cabins, though availability should be confirmed with the park. Bikers share some of the trails, so hikers stay alert on shared sections. Insects can be heavy near the mangroves, particularly in the wet season from May to October, and sun protection is important on open stretches. The park phone number is 305-919-1846.